Tuesday, April 21, 2015

In The Barn II

In The Barn II12x16 oil on panel

I completed this some time ago, but have been hesitant to photograph it. When painting this image I experimented with a painting different medium that I had read was more healthy to use. Painting mediums are used to thin paint and make it more supple, and since I'm spending so many hours a week now inhaling fumes I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately I found I didn't like the way it performed. It made my paints tacky to the point of being gluey and then dried with a very high shine. I was not sure how to photograph such a reflective surface, but when I finally tried it I found it did not present a problem. I don't care how many brain cells I'm damaging, I decided to return to mixing my own medium, the traditional mix of Turpentine, Varnish and Linseed oil for all future work. So… if you ever witness me struggling to find the word I'm looking for, it's the fault of my painting medium!

The panel has been covered with a thin coat ofBurnt Sienna and wiped smooth. Then I do a quick linedrawing to place the objects.

Next, I wipe away areas of light and brush in more paintwhere I want areas of shadow.This phase allows me to really think out the compositionand gives me the skeleton on which I willbuild the painting.

This is several sessions into adding color. At this pointI tend to become so involved that I rarely remember tostop and take photos. I begin with bright colors andmoderate them as I work toward the finished piece, seen here at the top of the page.